Canadian air tankers headed to Alaska

At least seven air tankers are being sent from Canada to Alaska to help with the wildfire situation developing in that state. Here are the aircraft that we are aware of that stopped at Whitehorse, Yukon, for fuel:

Wondering if an American company offered planes to the US state of Alaska. No offense to our friends to the north but I’m pretty sure there are planes in the lower 48 ready to go to work. I think Neptune & 10 Tanker have planes ready while they wait for a USFS contract. How about we follow the Canadian lead and take care of our own first!

Because it’s a State request and not a Federal one. Under the NorthWest Compact, it’s akin to free trade. There is no operational benefit to using US-only airtankers. The Canadian planes are closer, they are less expensive, they are often from the same company (think aircrew and engineering support), they are used to the same fuel types and they have enjoyed excellent working relationships with the State of Alaska for many many years. I bet the base in Palmer is a model of efficiency (it’s all one company), while the Ladd operation might be complicated by three different operators flying three different airtanker types.

Many people believe the Canadians don’t import US airtankers because they’re ‘protecting their own’. Not so. Any (ex-military) aircraft operating under a restricted airworthiness certificate is not recognized nor legal to fly in Canada. Therefore, no P3s, P2s, Hercs etc. The DC-10 operates under a standard AC, thus it was used in Canada in 2011.

The Trackers were completely rebuilt under a civilian C of A and were maintained to commercial standards. They were not labeled as Grumman / de Havilland products when used as airtankers, as the operator also held the Type Certificate.

Seems as now Canada is burning and several Provinces are asking for additional air-tankers… The Air-tankers in Alaska should be recalled immediately by their home agencies in order to support them. CIFFC has gone to Level 4. Some thing is a miss!